Financial Assistance Scheme for the Food Processors and /or Traders and Exporters to obtain Organic Certification
Industrial Development Board (IDB) and the Ministry of Industries invite applications from local food processors and/or traders and exporters willing to follow organic practices to obtain Organic Certification under this financial assistance scheme.
IDB has officially written to the NCE encouraging the Chamber Members Exporters to apply for the same.
FOR WHOM
Companies engaged in food processing and /or trading and exporting and willing to follow organic processing practices to obtain Organic Certification in the following product categories (either fresh, processed, or value-added) are eligible to apply ;
▪ Value-added and processed tea, coconut-based products, spices, Essential oils and extracts, aromatic &medicinal herbs, tropical fruits, vegetables and tubers, cashew, oil seeds, pulses, rice, coffee, cocoa, wild harvest products, kithul treacle, juggery fresh milk and dairy products, fish/seafood, etc.
WHAT IS OFFERED
Twenty-five (25) selected food processing and /or trading and exporting industries are eligible for reimbursement of the initial cost of organic certification including field inspection and lab testing of samples up to a maximum of Rs.250, 000/- (excluding consultancy fee, factory renovations /material/equipment costs & travel costs of the applicant industry) upon the submission of the organic certificate.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
- Industries can apply either for “Sri Lanka Organic Certification” or for “International Organic Standards” (EU/NOP/JAS etc.) under this scheme. The organic certification should be obtained from a certification institute accredited for organic certification by the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB).
- The industry should have been engaged in processing and /or trading of agricultural produce for at least 02 years and successfully functioning at the time of application.
- Industries whose annual turnover is less than 750Mn or whose permanent employment is less than300 can apply (Small & Medium scale industries: National Policy Framework for SME Development by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce).
- Financial grant is offered to cover the initial cost of certification including field inspection and lab testing of samples (excluding consultancy fee, factory renovations /material/equipment costs & travel costs of the applicant industry).
- The industry should not have been registered in any other government institution to obtain similar assistance at the time of application.
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Twenty-five (25) promising industries will be selected by a structured interview due to be held by a selection committee appointed by the Chairman of Industrial Development Board of Ceylon and the final decision will be made by the committee.
- The selected industries have to sign an agreement with the IDB, confirming the ability to complete the process in 2022.
NCE Members are encouraged to submit the duly completed applications with all relevant documents (Hard copies) as stipulated in the scheme to NCE before 10th November 2022. The Chamber will forward the respective applications to IDB.
For any clarifications, you may contact the Chamber on 011-4344664 or send an e-mail to operations@nce.lk
Click here to download the application